“There is the money!” cried Jim, excitedly.
“Shall we stop them?” asked Juarez.
“No,” answered Jim, “but I fear that he is making a mistake. He was not to give up the money till his daughter was on shore.”
“But you are not going to let them get away with the money, are you?” asked Berwick disgustedly.
“It seems we must,” returned Jim. “At least we must for the present. But I mean to get that later.”
“Huh!” muttered Tom. “There is no time like now.”
“All we can do now,” protested Jim, “is to see that the Senorita is safe. She is still in these villains’ hands, and if we show ourselves, it will be an excuse for them to try to get away with her. That’s what I fear, anyway.”
“See!” called Jo, “the Senor is walking with the woman toward the boat.”
“And he promised me to stay at the tree.”
Jim was wild with anxiety, yet dare not make known his presence. But the opportunity to act was close at hand.